Automatic electric exchange system.



No. 7|7,327. Patented Dee. 30, |902'.4

e w. n. BmKLlw. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

(Application med July 14', 1902.) (No Model.)

5 Sheets-Sheet I.

No.- 717,327. Patented Dec. 30, |9012..

1 W. R. BINKLEY. y

AUTOMATIC ELECTRICVEXGHANGE SYSTEM.

(Application led July 14, 1902.)

5 Sheets-$heet 25 (No Modem.

Nh. 7|7,327. Patenteaee.30,1902-,

w. n. BTNKLEY. g AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC EXCHANGE SYSTEM. 1 Application mea my 14, 1902. (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

we: Nonms' vz-rens co, maremma, wnsmnmon. D. c.

gne. 717,327. Y Patented Declan, |902.

w. R. `BINKLEY. AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

(Application med July 14, 1902.) me Medel.)-

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT Ormes. f

WILLIAM RAGAN BINKLEY, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC ExC HANC E sYsTErT-------- SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 717,327, dated December 30, 1902. Application filed July 14, 1902. Serial No. 115,498. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM RAGAN BINK- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Bedford, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in Automatic Electric Exchange Systems; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. i

My invention relates to certain improvements in electrical exchange systems of that character wherein all the switching of the subscribers telephone-circuits is performed automatically* and electrically by the action of the subscriber at his own station in manipulating a key or other translative device Which,through intermediate con nections,e1ec trically operates exchange mechanism at a central ofiice; and the present invention is designed for use in connection with the wellknown Strowger system and is applicable to existingl plants without changein the calling devices and without imposing any other labor, care, or thought on the part Cf the operating subscriber than is now required.

The objects of the invention, briefly stated, are, first, to provide a system of wiring whereby any subscriber in calling the number of any other subscriber of a party-line will at the same time place his instrument in circuit with one of a number of relays,which will respond when the key is pressed, impressing upon the subscribers line a current of such strength and polarity as will ring the bell at the subscribers station which is being called; second, to provide an arrangement of the relays in pairs and in series in the normal Wires connecting the subscribers switch with the connector-switch andin connection with dissimilar points of two vbanks of contacts in such manner as to secure the most effective results in the operation of the system, and, third, to simplify and cheapen the'cost of productionA and maintenance of the system, thus rendering the apparatus of great value where rates are low by reason of the presence of a party-line serviceof a competing company.

With the above and other objects subordinate thereto in View the invention consists in certain novel .features of construction and combination and arrangement of parts,which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 isa diagrammatic view of a partyline-telephone system embodying my invention, showing'one of the subscribers stations connected up with the exchange mechanism and another station. In this View the main shaft, banks of contacts, dac., are distorted from their natural positions to more clearly illustrate the operation. Fig. 2 is a similar View, on an enlarged scale, of three of the stations and the switch or exchange mechanism, showing the circuits and ringing-relays for a two-party line. i Fig. 3 is a similar View showing one of the ringing-relays actuated to impress a ringingcurrent on the line. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement in a four-party line. Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the wiper-operating devices and the wipers with the cooperating banks of contacts.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, A designates the main operatingshaft, which carries the spring-wipers l and 2 and which is designed to be slidably and revolubly mounted in the usual way. This shaft may be operated by any ordinary type 0f feed mechanism-such', for instance, as that employed in exchanges of the Strowger type or any other feed mechanism which may be found suitable for the purpose. I have merely shown the shaft and cooperating switch mechanism at the central office conventionally and have omitted the calling or translatingdevices at the subscribers stations by means of which the said switch mechanism is operated, as these devices are all well known to those versed in the art and require no detailed illustration or description.

The wipers l and 2 are adapted to engage the contacts of the banks or series 3 and 4, which contacts are arranged in each bank in two different lines or rows, the vertical rows in Fig. 6 representing units and the horizontal rows tens. To these contacts are connected the normal wires leading to the individual or iirst s elector-switch, which is the subscribers switch, thence to the line-wires leading from and to the telephone-stations. The mode of IOO operation of the wipers in connecting any one telephone-station with any other station in the system through the operation of the shaft is well understood by those versed in the art. I modify the usual construction by uniting or bridging the contact points or normals of one bank with the dissimilar points or normals of corresponding positions in the other bank, as and for the purpose hereinafter described. v

S','S2, S3, and S4 represent telephone-stations arranged in the system, and Ll L2 the line-wires. Each telephone-station includes the ordinary devices embodied in telephone systems of the automatic exchange partyline type, the same consisting of a transmitter 5, receiver 6, induction-coil 7, a bell 8, having the usual ground connection when a partyline, and a local battery 9, connected by suitable circuit-wires, together with switches 10 10' for throwing the bell and talking devices into and out of circuit of the line, a telephonehook 11,Which alternatelycloses said switches, and a switch-key 12, movable between the linecontact 13 and grounded contact 14 for transmitting electric impulses to operate the mechanism at the central office which controls the action of the ringing-relays.

B, C, and D represent, respectively, the rst or thousands selector-switch, the second or hundreds selector-switch, and a third selectorswitch which may be the connector for all numbers in between, say, 2,499 and 2,601. These switches are connected up in the ordinary manner with the line-wires at the central office.

In carrying my invention into practice I connect or bridge the contact-points of the two banks or rows 3 and 4, so that dissimilar points of these two banks when united and taken in pairs are connected to pairs of normal wires which lead to outgoing lines through the subscribers or iirst selector-switch, and I also connect said points to ringing-relays E and F, E and F,it being observed that as a matter of illustration the points a l) c CZ of bank 3 are respectively connected to the dissimilar contact-points b2 a2 d2 c2 of bank 4 by the wires 15, 16, 17, and 18, the pairs of contacts thus connected being in turn connected to the magnets of the relays by the wires 19 2O and 19 20. As shown, the relays are operated in pairs, having only their external or ringing circuits interconnected, so that each will open up the lines L L2 and impress the ringing-current on the outside line, which will be traced out hereinafter.

Located at the central office is a motor-generator G, capable of supplying pulsating positive, (-i-,) pulsating negative, or alternating (Uf) current to the several relays, and in circuit with said generator is a grounded condenser C, whose function is to cut off a direct ground connection-that is, to intercept the path of a direct current, but not an alternating or pulsating current. From the vgenerator to the relays lead feed-wires 21 21',

suitably branched to connect the relays to the generator in pairs, and these wires are provided with contacts 21a, tbc., normally engaged by the armatures of the relays. The two relays E and F are connected by a conductor 23, which is connected by a bridgewire 24 with another conductor 25, having contacts 26 and 27. These contacts are arranged in juxtaposition to other contacts 28 and 29, connected to conductors 30 and 3l, leading, respectively, to relays E2 and E3, and between the two contacts 26 and 28 plays a switch 32, while between the two contacts 27 and 29 plays a switch 33, which switches are respectively connected to the line-wires L' and L2 through conductors A and B,which lead, respectively, to the contacts 28 and 29', engaging the corresponding switches 32 33/ of the relays E F', which switches 32' 33 are in direct connection with said line-wires L L2. The magnets of the relays E and F have leading therefrom wires 34 and 35, which connect the same with the relays E2E3, and from said wires lead branches 36 and 37, which connect the relays with retard-coils R R', which coils R R are connected with each other and with a battery 38 and ground-tap 39. The switches 32 and 33 are of spring metal and normally retained in engagement with the contacts 28 and 29 by their resiliency. They are pressed into engagement with the contacts 26 and 27 by the arms a, projecting from the relay-armatures, when the relay magnets are energized and the free ends of the armatures are drawn down, as hereinafter described. The relays E and F are connected up in the ringing-circuit in like manner, the parts coperating therewith and corresponding to those before described in connection with relays E and F, being designated by similar primed reference numerals or characters. The system of wiring necessarily diifers in detail in telephone systems in which the subscribers are differently grouped or arranged; but the principle of arranging the ringing-relays in pairs and in series with the normal wires leading from the connector switch to the subscribers switch will in each case remain the same.

As an illustration of the operation of my invention, I have represented station S (2,521) as having been called from station S by means of the ordinary transmitting device, (not shown,) the action of which through the connector-switch and feed mechanism sets the wipers 1 and 2 in engagement with the proper TIO contacts of the banks 3 and 4. The parts In signaling S from S the subscriber at S presses signal-switch'12 against ground-tap 14, when the electric circuit Will be as follows: from ground by way of 14 to switch 12, thence to switches B, C, and D, conductor Z3, Wiper 2, `bank-contact a2, conductor 16, conductor 19, relay E, conductor 34, retard-coil R, and battery 38 to ground. The effect of establishing this circuit will be seen in Fig. 3 upon relay E, the armature having been drawn. down by the magnet, thereby opening feedwire 21 and inside line-wire 30 and closing switch 32, thus connectingoutgoing line-wire L with the contact 26, which carries the ringing current received from generator G through bridge 24,conductor 23, (which connects the two relays,) armatureof relay F,

- back-contact 21", conductor 21, brush g of generator G to ground through condenser C. Going back to 26, the ringing-current circuit will be over L to S, through the bell to ground, thus signaling S or 2,521. Had station S2 or 2,522 been called, the wipers 1 and 2 would. rest on bank-contacts b b2, and by reason of the bridging of the dissimilar points Z9 with c2 and a with b2 a reversal of the circuit would have been effected, so that Z2 would be connected with conductor 2O and relay F, and the same operation of switch 12 would actuate relay F, impressing upon line L2 a ringing-current in` precisely the same manner, except that the armature of said relay would break contact with 2lb. In like manner, referring to Fig. 4, which represents a four-party line, and tracing the circuits from c d2 and d c2, which correspond to numbers 2,523 and 2,524, (stations S3 and S4,) relays E' and F' are operated the same as E and F, but send a ringing-current of opposite polarity along lines L and L2.

It will be understood that relays E2 and E3 are the line-relays of the individual or subscribers switch,which in the present instance is the switch of the called subscriber. They perform no part in the selective ringing system and are shown in the present specific illustration only because they are in the circuits at all times. Their function is to close the circuit of the local battery through the operating-switch magnets in calling or making connection Vwith a station.

The foregoing description for a two-party line applies equally as well to a four-party line, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the construe,- tion for a two-party line (shown in Figs. 2 and 3) differing therefrom in showing the switches 32 and 33 in direct connection with the linewires L and L2 and in` omitting Jthe relays E and F. The operation of theA magnets is clearly disclosed in Fig. 3. y l

The release or disconnection of the calling from the called subscriber is effected in the Strowger system by grounding both lines si` signals to the subscribers.

multaneously on hanging up the receiver of the calling-station, which will operate both ringing-relays simultaneously. This simultaneous action of the pair of relays cuts off the generator, which would otherwise impress ringing-current on both lines, sending false l It is recognized that the relays may be designed in different forms to accomplish the same results; but in each case they must be dependent upon each other for supplying the ringing-currents to the subscribers lines.

In calling from station S or station S2 the circuits are the saine as when calling from station S, with the exception of the introduction of the spring-contacts 32-"8 and 33-29 in the line-wireswhere they enter the individual switch. Referring, for example, to Fig. 2, let it be supposed that station S' desires to call some other station. The circuit from S' will then be over L' to contact-spring 32 to 23, thence by 30 to line-relayE2 to 36, to retardcoil R, and battery 38 to ground at 39, thus placing it within the power of the person at S', through the'usual calling device, to operate line-relay E2. The circuit from L2 would be by spring 33 to 29, to Wire 3l, to line-relay E3, to 37, to retard-coil R', and battery 38 to ground, thus placing relay E3 under control of the operator through the usual calling device. The operation in this connection will thus be made clear. It is to be understood that relays E and F are not affected by currents from stations S' and S2 when these 'stations are calling or making a telephone connection with any other station; otherwise the system would be rendered inoperative. Said relays are in the normal wires which terminate in thebank-contact of the conncctor` switch, and when not engaged by said connector-switch-that is, when stations Sand S2 are not being called by some third stationthe said normals are on open circuit, and consequently cannot be affected by currents from station S or S2, as it is intended they should not be.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the construction aad mode of operation of the invention will be fully nnderstood, and it will be seen that simple and eiiicient means are provided Wherebyin calling the several different numbers representing the several different stations of a partyline one of a number of ringing-relays may be automatically selected, which will when operated from the calling station impress upon the party-line a current of such strength andpolarity as to ring the bell at the station of the subscriber whose number has been called. By thus providing for the automatic operation of the signal the system is rendered more desirable, and at the same time by using two series relays of about thirty-dive ohms resistance each I am enabled to dispense with the one-thousand-ohms bridge and one-thousand-ohms resistance commonly used.

IOO

IIO

While the preferred embodiment of myinvention is as herein shown and described, I do not wish to be understood as restricting myself to the exact form and construction shown, as many changes therein or variations therefrom might suggest themselves, all of which would be clearly included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an automatic exchange system for party-line telephones, exchange mechanism for connecting the stations, a motor-generator, ringing-relays connected in pairs, circuit connections between the exchange mechanism, generator and relays, means for energizing the magnet of one of the relays of a pair, a switch operated by the armature of the energized magnet to throw the generator into and out of circuit of the line through the armature and circuit connections of the other magnet to transmit a current impulse to operate a signal at a called station, and means for restoring the parts to their normal positions, substantially as set forth.

2. In au automatic exchange system for party-line-telephone systems, exchange mechanism embodying banks of contacts having dissimilar points connected, a motor-generator, ringing-relays connected in pairs, circuit connections between the contacts and different sets of relays, circuit connections between the line, generator and relays, and switch mechanism controllable from a substation and through the armatures and circuit connections of the relays to throw the generator into and out of circuit of the line to transmit a current to operate the signal at a called station, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In an automatic exchange system for party-line-telephone systems, exchange mechanism embodying banks of contacts having dissimilar points connected, a motor-generator, ringing-relays connected in pairs, circuit connections between the contacts and dierent sets of relays, circuit connections between the line, generator and relays, means for energizing the magnet of one of the relays of a pair, a switch operated by the armature of the energized magnet to throw the generator into and out of circuit of the line through the armature and circuit connections of the other magnet to transmit a current impulse to operate a signal at a called station, and means for restoring the parts to their normal positions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4:. In a system of the character described, banks of contacts having dissimilar points connected, a motor-generator, a pair of connected ringing-relays whose armatures are normally in circuit with the generator but out of circuit with the line, said relays being electrically connected with said contacts, switch mechanism for connecting the relays with the line, and means for operating one of the relays to close said switch mechanism and connect said relay with the line and disconnect it from the generator, whereby a circuit from the generator to the line is established through the armatures and circuit connections of the connected relays, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM RAGAN BINKLEY.

Witnesses:

EDWARD M. SLooUM, ROBERT E. ALLEN. 

